Condoms

Condoms can give you protection against many sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as protecting a woman from an unwanted pregnancy, but they need to be used carefully.

The only way to be 100% sure of not getting an STI is not having sex at all, but condoms reduce the risks of passing on many serious infections, some of which can have serious health effects.There are male condoms and female condoms:

A male condom is a thin sheath (usually made of latex, a type of rubber) that is worn on the penis.

A female condom is a polyurethane sheath with a flexible ring at either end. One end is closed and inserted into the vagina; the other end is open and the ring sits outside the opening of the vagina.

The male and female condoms should not be used at the same time because they can get stuck together and cause one or the other to slip during intercourse, making them ineffective.Once a condom is used, it cannot be reused. A new condom should be used each time you have sex. Never use oil-based lubricants such as mineral oil, petroleum jelly, or baby oil with condoms because these substances can break down the rubber. A used condom should be thrown in the garbage, not down the toilet.It's best to store unused condoms in a cool, dry place.